Hamzat: Lagos to Track, Punish Officials Behind Flood-Prone Developments, Expand Waste-to-Energy Initiatives
LAGOS — Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, has said the state government will deploy technology to track officials who approve developments in flood-prone areas and sanction those found culpable.
Hamzat disclosed this during a one-and-a-half-hour interview on TVC News’ Journalists’ Hangout on Monday, September 14, where he discussed the state’s flood management strategy, waste disposal challenges, human-capital development and the political prospects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
GIS to Track Planning Approvals
The deputy governor said Lagos was strengthening its Geographic Information System (GIS) to digitally monitor developments and establish the officials responsible for granting planning approvals.
According to him, the electronic system would make it possible to trace approvals and hold responsible officials accountable where developments violate planning regulations.
«“We are now making sure that it is now electronic and therefore we can track people and the moment you are able to track people, you know who is responsible for A and B and people will face penalties,” he said.»
Hamzat condemned the practice of approving or allowing buildings that do not meet planning requirements, insisting that any structure that cannot legally receive approval should not be constructed.
«“I’ve listened to people say, ‘Oh, it’s not approvable but it’s buildable.’ That’s absolutely not acceptable,” he said.»
«“Whatever is not approvable should not be buildable because we hurt others when we do that. You build on a drain and the whole community floods,” he added.»
He said officials and other persons whose actions contribute to flooding would be tracked and punished.
Why Lagos Floods
Hamzat explained that Lagos’ geographical location and changing weather patterns contribute to the state’s flooding challenges.
He said Lagos is, on average, about two metres below sea level and has seven major drainage systems designed to channel water across different parts of the state.
According to him, tidal locking can occur when receiving bodies of water, including creeks and lagoons, become full, particularly when heavy rainfall coincides with high water levels.
He, however, stressed that blocked drainage channels significantly worsen the situation.
«“The challenge is when those drains are not clear,” he said.»
Hamzat disclosed that about 1,000 people had been deployed under the state’s environmental flood management efforts to clear drainage channels.
He also appealed to residents to stop dumping refuse into drains, warning that clearing a drainage channel would have little impact if waste was dumped back into it.
The deputy governor said Lagos also needed to improve surveillance of its drainage network through technology, including the possible deployment of sensors in underground drainage systems to detect blockages.
«“We just need to use technology a bit better,” he said.»
He added that the state was expanding drainage infrastructure and dredging waterways to improve the movement of floodwater.
Hamzat disclosed that dredging was ongoing on the Ikota River, which receives substantial volumes of water from Lagos Island, to increase its capacity.
He said the state currently reviews its drainage master plan every five years but may reduce the interval to three years in response to the effects of climate change.
«“We do review our drainage master plan every five years. So maybe because of climate change, we need to take it to three years,” he said.»
Lagos Moves to Transform Waste into Energy
Hamzat also disclosed that the state government was intensifying efforts to transform waste management through additional transfer loading stations, material recovery and waste-to-energy initiatives.
Addressing concerns over the Olusosun landfill, he said the facility had not outlived its usefulness and that the government was taking steps to improve its efficiency and reduce the volume of waste deposited there.
He said accumulated waste was being evacuated while a transfer loading station was being constructed at the site.
According to Hamzat, the proposed station will have the capacity to handle approximately 2,500 metric tonnes of waste daily, while a significant portion of the waste stream would be diverted for reuse and energy production.
«“By the time we are able to activate the transfer loading station, what will be coming in there will be very small because the rest will be utilized,” he said.»
He also disclosed that Lafarge was converting part of the waste at the site into materials for energy production.
Hamzat attributed recent operational difficulties at Olusosun partly to the deterioration of the access road, which increased the time required for waste trucks to complete their trips.
He said between 300 and 320 trucks enter the facility daily, but the poor road condition had increased turnaround time from approximately two hours to between seven and 10 hours.
The deputy governor said the access road had now been repaired, while the number of tipping points at the facility was being increased from two to four to reduce delays.
He expressed optimism that the measures would eventually reduce truck turnaround time to about one hour.
Four Transfer Stations Planned
Hamzat said the state was working towards establishing four transfer stations across Lagos, alongside material recovery facilities and a waste-to-energy plant in the Alimosho area.
The initiative, he explained, is designed to move Lagos away from simply dumping waste towards recovering reusable materials and generating electricity from refuse.
«“What we need to do for Lagos is get the transfer stations to four,” he said.»
He expressed optimism that two of the planned transfer stations would be completed before the end of the current administration.
Hamzat also said Lagos could eventually process waste from neighbouring states for a fee if sufficient infrastructure was developed.
He stressed the importance of sorting waste at source, particularly at the household level.
«“The challenge we have is if you don’t sort from your kitchen, the cost goes up by 40%,” he said.»
The deputy governor said about 13,000 people currently involved in waste sorting could be integrated into the formal waste-management system through training and the provision of equipment.
«“We must get them into the system, train them, equip them. It is job opportunities,” he said.»
Hamzat: Tinubu’s 2027 Chances ‘Far, Far Better’
On the 2027 presidential election, Hamzat expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s chances of securing re-election are significantly stronger than they were in 2023.
He said the political circumstances surrounding the 2023 election had changed, arguing that Nigerians now had the opportunity to assess the president based on his performance in office.
According to Hamzat, concerns surrounding religion and regional identity that affected Tinubu’s electoral prospects in 2023 had reduced as Nigerians increasingly assessed the administration on its appointments and policies.
He argued that Tinubu had demonstrated through his appointments that competence, rather than ethnicity or religion, remained the key consideration.
«“Our president is somebody that looks for credible people, that looks for intelligent people. He’s blinded to your ethnicity. He’s blinded to your religion,” Hamzat said.»
He added that the president now had a record of governance to defend before voters.
«“It’s the president. He has records that he can defend. And then, of course, the issue of religion, I think, has gone down. People see that we are all together,” he said.»
Using Lagos as an example, Hamzat said religious tolerance and cooperation remained a defining feature of the state.
«“I’m a candidate of the party. I’m a Muslim. But you see me going to churches. That is how Lagos is,” he said.»
He cited the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) as an example of how Christian and Muslim leaders collaborate to resolve issues affecting residents.
Hamzat ultimately expressed confidence that Tinubu would perform substantially better electorally in 2027 than in 2023, particularly in Lagos.
«“So I think the chances are far, far, far better,” he said.»
Human Capital: ‘Lagos Must Become the Human Capital of the World’
Beyond infrastructure, Hamzat said Lagos must intensify investment in human-capital development to prepare its large and youthful population for the global economy.
He said the state’s 30-year development plan must be supported by deliberate efforts to equip young people with relevant skills.
«“Lagos must become the human capital of the world,” Hamzat declared.»
He identified artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and blockchain technology among emerging fields where young Lagosians should receive training.
According to him, businesses sometimes struggle to find workers with the appropriate skills despite the large number of graduates in the state.
«“How do we match skills with talent? That must be our next target,” he said.»
On the issue of migration, popularly known as “Japa”, Hamzat acknowledged that people would continue to seek opportunities abroad.
«“We know Japa will always be there. People with Japa, we cannot stop human beings from moving,” he said.»
Hamzat Unveils Vision for a Safer, Smarter and Cleaner Lagos
Following the interview, Hamzat, in a post on his Facebook page, said his vision for Lagos was centred on improving the quality of life of residents.
He said governance ultimately comes down to “taking care of people,” outlining a vision of a Lagos where every child has access to education and skills development, young people are prepared for future jobs, families can move safely and residents have access to quality healthcare.
According to the deputy governor, the administration’s priorities include expanding smart security networks, adding electric ferries to the waterways, converting waste to clean energy and modernising drainage infrastructure.
He also listed the upgrading of General Hospitals, improving food distribution systems to reduce food costs, and providing protection and shelter for victims of domestic abuse among the priorities of his vision.
“Lagos is our home and we will make sure it works for everyone. The work has already started and the future is bright,” Hamzat said.
